Canadian Airlines Plus - Declining service

Another example: I was on a flight YVR-YYC today in J-class. The flight attendant goes to a passenger and says "Mr X, I see that you ordered a veggie meal. I am sorry but we do not have one. We have an assortment of veggie items today. Is that ok?" Seems to me that if he was paying a few extra $ to sit in J-class, he should get his meal!

Has anyone else noticed that CP personnel welcome Elite and Super Elite on board but AC personnel ignore the CP FF?

One thing that is definite is that service is very inconsistent.

I personally have not notice CP personnel welcoming AC FF on board. Even as a EP I seldom get welcome from CP personnel. I remember I used to get a personal welcome from a conceirge before departure.

On my YYZ - HNL last week, the conceirge that checked me in at the lounge was extremely friendly and welcoming and we had a chat for a while. However, at the gate, another concierge was collecting boarding pass and it seemed that she was ready to start a fight. Said "Hi...", no response... Said "Thank you..." No response. It is employees like these who cause us to think that the whole airline is the same. However, I have seen way more good employees at CP than bad. Won't comment on AC...

Empress

At the beginning of boarding, people requiring more time board first; then business class along with all the "elite" flyers, including AC. On AC metal, ther is no mention of CP, not even during the pre-flight announcement. It is like CP does not exist for AC.

Ya, and on AC they always try and kill me when boarding! Atleast on CP they only try to remove a limb or two...therefore I obviously much pefer CP.

Dorian

IsleTraveller...

Sorry, I misunderstand what you meant. Yes I have defintely heard CP agents inviting AC FF to board along with CP FFs.

Dorian: You too?

Hmmm... I had a totally different experience on my trip YYZ-HKG last week. The AC agents included the phrase "Canadian Airlines Executive Platinum & Gold members are welcomed to board at their leisure" in the preboard announcement.

While onboard the aircraft, the welcoming announcement also included CP Plus members along with Aeroplan & Star Alliance members.

Also, both at the gate & aboard the aircraft, AC personnel greeted me personally by "Welcome aboard Mr. X" several times, and I noticed they only say it to SEs and Elites, and EPs & Golds. Regular Aeroplan & CP Plus members seem not to receive this treatment.

NOTE: I forgot to mention I didn't receive this treatment on the long-haul flights.

[This message has been edited by ssw207 (edited 05-22-2000).]

On my last flight from LHR CP-Elites were anounced for pre-bording, but I don't remember any mention of us once onboard.

I'm off to the UK again tommorow, all on CP metal, and most proberbly for the last time http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/frown.gif, as the new shedules seem not to have any CP metal going in or out of LHR.

So far (2 flights) I have had excellant service from AC both on the ground and in the air, so I'll refrain from any(more) adverse comments about AC. My flights with CP since the merger have not shown any decline in service, a certain amount of confusion yes, but I can live with that (for a while).

Stewart.

It is unfortunate, but as a longtime supporter of CP, I have noticed and now complain that there has been a significant reduction of business and empress class perks for those of us travellers fortunate enought to travel in J-Class. The lack of food service is the most evident; it is quite simply pathetic. Small, NO miniscule portions, overheated, new meaning to 'rubber chicken' and real lack of selection. Also, now that the two airlines have merged, upgrades are increasingly more difficult to come by and lounges less stocked with goodies. WOW what a bi$@! session. Oh and on that pre-board announcement issue, on my last flight out of Toronto (last night on CP) they did a CP/AC preboard, and at least 50+ people came up to the gate! Even my fellow passengers and gate agents were suprised! I hope for us all, that the on-board service gets better and they manage the now double amount of FF's with greater respect and dignity.

I too have noticed that on CP flights, the staff acknowledge their "partner, AC" and the Aeroplan members. Not the same on AC. No mention of CP.

I recently had the misfortune of flying AC metal, only because they operated to my final destination. The purser in J, refused to hang my coat, instead rolling it in a ball and placing overhead. When questioned, he said there was insufficient room in the closet, and since it was just casual jacket, that's all he could do. Service including food was sub standard, even compared to Most US carriers domestic F service. On the return flight, the attendant had the nerve to remove my tray once I had started, indicating that I was not entitled since I was "standby". I refused to let it go and finally she went to check the manifest.

I just returned from a trip on CP metal in J. The staff still try extra hard with what little resources they have. Wine selection is better, food (if catered by SkyChefs) is better. Service is responsive, and not assembly line. On AC, if you don't accept it on their schedule, it is next to impossible to get it later. Even seat comfort and entertainment is better on CP.

I know things will change, but it would be nice to do some of the little extras that made CP a class act. How much can it cost. I have not seen a reduction in fares to reflect the reduction in service levels.

You are LUCKY CP even exists!

How is it that AC won service awards if they are so terrible?

"MONTRÉAL - Air Canada has been voted the best North American domestic airline for both long- and short-haul travel in the 1999 OAG (Official Airline Guide) Airline of the Year Awards. At the ceremony held at the National Press Club in Washington, the airline also won the bronze award in the global Airline of the Year category as well as the silver award for its executive/business class within North America."

Dorian

Just to get it clear, we are talking about declining service after they have brought CP.

I just flew CP J class to YVR en route to SIN. This was my first time on CP metal since the merger. The experience was very positive: a quality lunch; attentive service and a better seat than on a 320 in J class. I can't comment on declining service but there was nothing wrong with this experience.

[This message has been edited by airbus320 (edited 05-21-2000).]

[This message has been edited by airbus320 (edited 05-21-2000).]

All I have to say is that AC service is dreadful on Long Haul flights, there is absolutely no amenities at all, no overnight kits, toothbrushes, even paper cups in the bathroom. There is only liquid soap and toilet paper, and we should be thankful that these items are still being supplied for free.

I usually travelled with CP & CX to HKG and service is top notch. I received complimentary J-Class upgrades from CX & CP on MANY OCCASIONS because they recognized me as an Oneworld member. How about AC? they wouldn't let me line up in 1st Exec. Check-in even when I was travelling on J-Class because I don't look like a business traveller.

However, AC transborder service is a 180 degree turn, I have been on the LGA-YUL route many times and it was excellent.

It will be sad to see CP's service to deteriorate to AC's level. Why can't AC learn from CP and from its own Transborder service?


[This message has been edited by ssw207 (edited 05-22-2000).]